Astronaut Sally Ride Invites Girls to Explore Hands-on Science at Science Festival at Southern Methodist University
The Sally Ride Science Festival, hosted by the SMU School of Engineering, will bring together hundreds of upper elementary and middle school girls, parents and teachers for a day of science and socializing. The festival features an inspiring talk by Ride and discovery workshops for girls given by local scientists and engineers. While girls learn how to extract DNA from a strawberry, take apart a computer, and search for signs life on other planets, parents and teachers attend workshops on ways to support girls' interests in science and math. The festival also includes a street fair with hands-on activities, booths, food and music.
"Southern Methodist University is extremely proud to host the Sally Ride Science Festival on our campus," said Dr. Geoffrey Orsak, Dean of SMU School of Engineering. "Having started a program called the Gender Parity Initiative to reach out and attract female engineering students to SMU, partnering with Sally Ride provides the perfect opportunity to expose area girls to engineering education and career opportunities."
"ExxonMobil's goal is to inspire students to see math and science as the keys to a variety of rewarding career options. For America's prosperity, we recognize the need for students to stay in school and to pursue careers that will include science, technology, engineering and math," said Sherri Stuewer, Vice President for Safety, Health and Environment for ExxonMobil Corporation. "Sally Ride is an outstanding and inspirational role model to show girls exactly how much impact they can have as engineers and scientists."
The cost of the festival is $18 and advance registration is required. The registration fee includes the featured talk, workshops, lunch and the street fair. Scholarships are available. For more information contact Sally Ride Science at 1-800-561-5161.
About Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to fueling girls' and boys' interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America's first woman in space, founded the company in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire. Our programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallenge, Educator Institutes, summer camps, and after-school programs. Our publications include award-winning science books, science career books, and innovative Classroom Sets to supplement science instruction. Our publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun. For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161.
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